BOLTON'S NEXT FIVE PL GAMES

And Coyle added that Muamba would have been made quickly aware of the result that takes Bolton out of the bottom three at the expense of QPR.

He said: "I know our chairman Phil Gartside has spoken to Fabrice's father Marcel, who is at the hospital, and I'm sure he would have passed it on."

Bolton were able to conclude a traumatic week with three points which leaves them a point clear of the drop zone with eight games left.

Coyle said: "I think we knew it was going to be an emotionally charged day and all our thoughts are still with Fabrice and his recovery.

"We felt we wanted to go out and represent him in the right way on the football pitch and I think we did that."

Coyle paid tribute to Blackburn's supporters, as well as Bolton's, for the backing they gave to Muamba even though their team lost a vital game.

He said: "I thought the conduct throughout the stadium, from all of the fans, was exemplary.

"The worldwide support for Fabrice has been a real positive. The encouragement and level of support he has had has been used by his family as a great source of strength and I'm sure that energy has filtered through to Fabrice."

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Atmosphere helped Bolton - Kean

Coyle, who joined his players in a huddle on the pitch after the final whistle, said: "It has been an emotional week and I just wanted to thank everybody for their efforts.

"They were out on their feet both physically and mentally, but that is a small thing compared to the fight Fabrice has got."

Rovers boss Steve Kean felt that his side failed to do themselves justice and believes they were distracted by the build-up to the game.

"The occasion and the atmosphere in the ground put Bolton on the front foot," he said. "We never matched their intensity.

"We never played well today but we'll get back on the training ground and prepare for Manchester United.

"It wasn't a normal game but the most important thing is that Fabrice is making progress."